This wedding day brought what most would describe as ‘bad weather’. But is is ‘bad weather’ actually bad, even on your wedding day?

I’ve noticed with the many weddings I have covered as a photographer in ‘bad weather’, that once the day arrives, no matter what the weather brings, the bride and groom, and their families and friends, are no less excited, no less embracing of the day, no less joyous, and often strangely more relaxed and themselves. Often they seem to be fairly oblivious to it which is just as it should be. And, contrary to what many couples fear, rainy day weddings, blustery or even stormy rain-drenched weddings can result in more dramatic, atmospheric pictures full of character, humour, unscripted moments and romance.

Alex & Thomas elected to start and end their wedding today together with preparations at the grand late Victorian hotel, The Petersham, a brisk walk down to the stunning Georgian Bingham Riverhouse in Richmond (where the rain momentarily held off for some swift shots of them together outside and with their immediate family), onwards to the elegant 18th Century Octagon Room at Orleans House Gallery in Twickenham for their ceremony and champagne reception, and a final journey by red London route-master bus to transport everyone back to the Bingham for the wedding breakfast and celebrations.

My aim with any wedding, whatever the season or weather conditions, is the same. Not to subscribe to any look or style, but to quietly observe and react with candid moments that build the story, as well as producing pictures that are more conceived and constructed through my viewfinder as I see scenes play out before me, all the time looking out for shafts or pools of light and, in the case of this winter, low light and ‘after dark’ wedding, mixing it up with some carefully added flash.

A smattering of pictures from Alex & Thomas fabulous German-American union in Richmond upon Thames - in ‘bad weather’.

Where were the preparations for this wedding? The Petersham Hotel, Petersham

Where was the ceremony? The Octagon Room at Orleans House Gallery, Twickenham

Where was the reception? The Bingham Riverhouse, Richmond upon Thames

Wedding type: Traditional winter wedding with an American bride and German groom